Daddy, Papa and Me

The rebuff the demand. As Andrew Sullivan calls it, it's an astonishing act of conscience.

Here is part of the response:

"We proclaim the Gospel of what God has done and is doing in Christ, of the dignity of every human being, and of justice, compassion, and peace. We proclaim the Gospel that in Christ there is no Jew or Greek, no male or female, no slave or free. We proclaim the Gospel that in Christ all God's children, including women, are full and equal participants in the life of Christ's Church. We proclaim the Gospel that in Christ all God's children, including gay and lesbian persons, are full and equal participants in the life of Christ's Church. We proclaim the Gospel that stands against any violence, including violence done to women and children as well as those who are persecuted because of their differences, often in the name of God. The (Primates') Communiqué is distressingly silent on this subject. And, contrary to the way (others) have represented us, we proclaim a Gospel that welcomes diversity of thought and encourages free and open theological debate as a way of seeking God's truth. If that means that others reject us and communion with us, as some have already done, we must with great regret and sorrow accept their decision."

Sadly though, it looks like we are one step away from schism.

But does it have to be only grey clouds? I see a silver lining perhaps. It's a long step from this to what I'm going to suggest, but that won't stop me :).

There seems to be a realignment in Christianity. Perhaps not as big a relignment that occured in America at the time of the Civil War, and definitely not as big as the reformation, but a realignment nonetheless.

And if I were to grossly simplify the split, it would be between the love and the law. Churches and congregations that emphasize the teaching of love and others that emphasize practice and doctrine. Of course it's not nearly that simple, but generally true in a broad brush sort of way. The former would be UCC and the Episcopalian church and the latter would be the Assemblies of God and the Catholics. Of course within each of these churches are individuals and congregations that fit the other side of that divide, but the divide is becoming more and more stark as churches, congregations and individuals take stands...

and denominations split. Many denominations are being affected.

The 'gay' issue is more a symptom than the cause. As is women in clergy and many other issues.

Perhaps, and I doubt this will happen but I would like to see it...

As churches such as the Swedish church, the UCC and the Episcopals start to shift to the 'teaching of love' side, they should formally realign and create a more unified and official communion of congregations that empasize the Jesus' teaching of love.

Call it the United Communion in Christ :).